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Temporary Neonatal Occupational Therapist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Temporary Neonatal Occupational Therapist information

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$23

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$67

How much do temporary neonatal occupational therapist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for temporary neonatal occupational therapist in the United States is $45.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38.70 and $50.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a temporary neonatal occupational therapist?

A Temporary Neonatal Occupational Therapist is a licensed healthcare professional who works on a short-term or contract basis in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), providing specialized therapy to premature or medically fragile newborns. Their primary role is to assess and support the development of infants' motor, sensory, and feeding skills, often collaborating with families and other healthcare providers. The 'temporary' aspect refers to the limited duration of their employment, which can be due to staff shortages, maternity leave coverage, or special projects. They play a crucial part in helping newborns achieve developmental milestones and improve their quality of life during their hospital stay.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a temporary neonatal occupational therapist?

To thrive as a Temporary Neonatal Occupational Therapist, you need specialized knowledge in neonatal development, occupational therapy licensure, and experience with premature or medically complex infants. Familiarity with assessment tools like the Neonatal Oral-Motor Assessment Scale (NOMAS) and electronic medical record (EMR) systems is common, along with Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Strong communication, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, and sensitivity to family-centered care are crucial soft skills. These competencies ensure effective intervention, promote optimal infant development, and support families during critical periods in neonatal care.

What are some common challenges faced by temporary neonatal occupational therapists, and how can they be addressed?

Temporary Neonatal Occupational Therapists often face the challenge of quickly adapting to new teams and protocols while building rapport with both staff and families in a fast-paced NICU environment. Additionally, balancing a varied caseload and ensuring continuity of care for infants can be demanding, especially when covering for permanent staff. To overcome these challenges, it's helpful to communicate proactively with the interdisciplinary team, familiarize yourself with unit-specific procedures early on, and prioritize collaboration with caregivers to support each infant's developmental needs.

What is the difference between Temporary Neonatal Occupational Therapist vs Pediatric Occupational Therapist?

AspectTemporary Neonatal Occupational TherapistPediatric Occupational Therapist
CredentialsOccupational Therapy License, neonatal-specific trainingOccupational Therapy License, pediatric-specific training
Work EnvironmentNeonatal intensive care units, hospitalsClinics, schools, outpatient settings
Employer & IndustryHospitals, neonatal units, healthcare providersSchools, outpatient clinics, pediatric hospitals

Temporary Neonatal Occupational Therapists focus on infants in neonatal intensive care units, addressing early developmental needs. Pediatric Occupational Therapists work with children in various settings, including schools and clinics. While both roles require occupational therapy credentials, their work environments and patient populations differ significantly, making each specialized for different stages of childhood development.

What cities are hiring for Temporary Neonatal Occupational Therapist jobs?

Cities with the most Temporary Neonatal Occupational Therapist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Neonatal Occupational Therapist jobs?

The most popular types of Neonatal Occupational Therapist jobs are:

What states have the most Temporary Neonatal Occupational Therapist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Temporary Neonatal Occupational Therapist jobs include:

Neonatal Occupational Therapist

University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • On-site

$39 - $51.25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


University Of New Mexico rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

126th of 620 rated colleges and universities


Job description

The Developmental Care Program has an exciting opportunity for an Occupational Therapist to join our team as a Neonatal Developmental Specialist and work in a collegial atmosphere and an inter-professional environment. We are a multidisciplinary team with an expertise in NICU developmental care and in the sequelae of medical diagnoses as they pertain to developmental outcomes for babies born preterm. Our team helps set the stage for how parents begin their parenting roles that can last a lifetime and we have a specialized focus on the family as the current and future "growers" and "nurturers" of the infants in our unit. Our practices are consistent with current evidence based knowledge.

The Neonatal Occupational Therapist will provide comprehensive developmental care services. These include needs assessment, treatment planning, and critical developmental therapy services to ill and/or developmentally high-risk newborns and families in a newborn intensive care environment, and at our follow up clinic. They will also design, develop, and manage developmental education and/or therapeutic programs, and provide consultation and training to NICU staff.

This position will require evenings, weekends and some holidays. 


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